In miniature, August 26

• A Rockville volunteer meeting shows grass-roots enthusiasm for ranked-choice voting [Mark Lautman, Clean Slate MoCo] I’m organizing a social event in Frederick County next month for persons interested in learning more about RCV, be in touch if you’re interested;
• “Just as the state has ramped up spending to implement the ‘Kirwan Blueprint,’ many Maryland public schools are experiencing dramatic student absenteeism increases.” [Mark Uncapher, The Duckpin] “58% of Baltimore City Students considered chronically absent” [Chris Papst, WBFF]
• Antitrust complaints as a cat’s-paw for the benefit of moneyed interests behind the scenes? Why, sir, I am scandalized to hear of such a thing [Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun on John Angelos’s string-pulling with Maryland officials] “Baltimore Orioles Owners Demand Even More Unnecessary Taxpayer Money” [Jason Russell, Reason]
• Meet the woman who’s photographed more than 200 “ghost signs” evoking the city’s commercial past [Ron Cassie, Baltimore Magazine]
• Newly appointed Baltimore County economic strategist and political donor has had the odd spot of bother with the law [Taylor DeVille, Baltimore Banner]
• The rules are, CASA de Maryland gets to break the law in ways like blocking the State House entrance and no legal consequences will ensue. We all understand the rules, right? [Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun]